Transit Officials To Ask City For Land Survey For Streetcars

By Deserae del Campo
Miami’s Department of Capital Improvements and Transportation is to ask city commissioners today (5/25) to hire a firm to survey topography for the Miami streetcar line, the next stop en route to construction and operation.

The top firm chosen was Manuel G. Vera and Associates.

"The city issued a request for qualifications for topographic surveying services for the Miami streetcar in March," said Lilia Medina, assistant transportation coordinator, "and the selection committee’s recommendation for the most qualified firm is before the City Commission on Thursday."

The survey is to include existing topography, utilities, drainage and the right-of-way along the proposed route, more than nine miles, she said. "We expect to begin the topography survey in June and end in November."

Next January, the city expects to request proposals to construct the project.

"The Miami City Commission will consider the approval of the project in September or October," Ms. Medina said. "By then, the environmental analysis would be completed, along with a decision on the route or alignment."

The city is hosting the second in a series of workshops June 1 introducing the streetcar to residents.

"The public meetings on the project have been going well," Ms. Medina said. "Every time we receive a question via the city’s Web site or by the comment cards distributed at the meetings, we respond in writing and add more information to our frequently asked questions on the Web site."

This workshop is geared to the Upper East Side, Little Haiti, Buena Vista, the Design District and Wynwood.

"As of now, we are on track and on schedule," Ms. Medina said. "The financial plan to fund the streetcar is definitely in the works and we hope to have a final financial plan for City Commission consideration in July."

The streetcar is to run along existing roadways.

Two routes are proposed. The north-south loop is to be 6.75 miles from Southeast/Southwest First Street to Northeast 40th and 41st streets. The east-west loop is to be 2.89 miles moving westbound on Northwest 20th Street from Northeast Second to Northwest 10th avenues and continuing south on Northwest 10th Avenue to Northwest 17th Street, then to Northeast Second Avenue. Details: www.miamigov.com/miamistreetcar.